APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Appleton’s health officer is retiring at the end of the week, a little later than he had originally planned.
It’s been 42 years since Kurt Eggebrecht began his career in public health with an internship. In January of 2000, Eggebrecht began his tenure with the City of Appleton.
Over those years, Eggebrecht has seen a lot.
“So [one] of the highlights, of course, was the smoking ban. We are the first community in the state to go forward with that effort, and although that was controversial, [we’re] looking back at how much we take that for granted,” Eggebrecht told the WTAQ Morning News with Matt and Earl.
Whether it was fighting for that smoking ban or ensuring health and safety with food vendors ahead of Appleton’s Octoberfest celebration, Eggebrecht was part of a number of health battles in the city. But the year he was supposed to retire really took the cake.
“I gave my letter of resignation a year ago, February, to Mayor Hanna. He accepted it. I was all set to retire on June 4th a year ago, and then COVID,” Eggebrecht said. “When we had cases in the state of Washington, that’s when I knew that this was going to get big. So when Mayor Woodford asked me to stay on, I knew it was the right decision.”
He says the pandemic posed challenges that will certainly be memorable.
“Individual rights versus community good, that all plays into so many public health decisions. Seatbelts or you name it, there’s so many of those pros and cons, and not easy decisions…Even with masking now, we struggle with those same the community good for individual rights issues constantly. But you might recall, that smoking ban went to referendum three times. Each and every vote, it increased in popularity,” Eggebrecht said. “I’d like to think it’s demonstrated to the public how we are so blessed to live in America where we have a public health system that’s integrated locally statewide and nationally…I think it’s pretty evident with our vaccine distribution in America versus other countries, how fortunate we are to live where we do.”
The city had pandemic plans prepared for an influenza pandemic, something Eggebrecht points out happens about three times every 100 years. So adaptation was key. However, educating the public on something they still didn’t know much about proved to be difficult.
“It was very easy to transfer from the influenza pandemic into this pandemic, because the principles applied to both,” Eggebrecht said. “That is something that wasn’t frustrating, I think it’s normal. But I think for the general population, it might have been a learning lesson of of a novel virus.”
But now, as the pandemic appears to be on the decline, Eggebrecht is taking his final bow. For real this time.
“I really didn’t know Appleton before I moved here I’ve learned to really enjoy it. My wife and I have made some roots here, we’re going to stay here,” Eggebrecht said. “We have a wonderful neighborhood, and we really feel very much a part of this community that has welcomed my family here. So it’s just a big thank you those that have trusted in me and my family and supported us through this time.”
He has plans to spend more time with his grandchildren, delve more into his spirituality and faith, and resume the travel plans that were put on hold a year ago.
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